My charge to you

First, Congratulations and welcome to the mess, I am proud to be your Brother!

You’re the Chief now, the buck stops with you! You’re going to be the senior person in a lot of situations, take ownership and run your division the best way you can.

You have been ready for this for a while, now it’s time to live up to it. Get to know your brothers and sisters in the mess, reach out for help and help them when they reach out to you.

Remember who you are and where you came from, learn something from everyone, even if it’s learning how NOT to be.

You have a voice now, use it when appropriate and don’t back down when you are right, stand and fight for your people and they will always do whatever you ask of them.

Figure out how you want to Chief, everyone does it differently, stand on your own two feet and never quit.

Mentor, Lead, Train… everyone around you, not just junior Sailors, but also the junior Officers… even your Commanding Officer will need your mentorship from time to time.

Call, text or email me anytime.

-Tommy Joyce